Cornell home economists guided the nation's transition into a modern consumer culture. By the late nineteenth century, American women had become consumers rather than producers of many household items, including food and clothing. As a result, home economists in the Progressive Era advocated for pure food and safety standards, and promoted the idea that women needed to be educated about purchasing decisions. Through events such as Farm and Home Week, they offered exhibits and lectures that informed the public about new developments in the consumer market. In Cornell laboratories and classrooms, faculty and students engaged in testing household equipment from ironing boards and mattresses to ovens and refrigerators.

Beginning in the 1920s, home economists began to put their scientific training to use in the cause of business and industry. In this new role, they were presumed to represent the "woman's point of view," and as such, were increasingly involved in the design and marketing of new products. Home economists gave special attention to the structure, design, and outfitting of the American kitchen and as a result, they have been called "agents of modernity."

The College of Home Economics conducted scientific and systematic testing of consumer goods. Students and professors in the Department of Household Economics and Management evaluated products by considering such factors as quality, cost, durability, safety, and ease of use to determine the best products for consumers.

Quality Culture

The College of Home Economics conducted scientific and systematic testing of consumer goods. Students and professors in the Department of Household Economics and Management evaluated products by considering such factors as quality, cost, durability, safety, and ease of use to determine the best products for consumers. Here are students testing different models of toasters in 1924.

Product Evaluation

Mary Purchase, a professor in the Department of Textiles and Apparel, performed chemical research in the 1950s on the ability of commercially marketed laundry detergents to remove stains.

Consumer Economics

Household accounting was an important element of the home economics curriculum, educating homemakers to track family income and correctly allocate money towards necessary expenses. This 1916 bulletin taught simple organizational skills to aid in household accounting.

Household Accounting

Household accounting was an important element of the home economics curriculum, educating homemakers to track family income and correctly allocate money towards necessary expenses. Professor Jean Warren and junior home economics student Carol Reed demonstrate how a family of five apportioned its annual income (1960).

Smart Shopping for Canned Goods

When food was first marketed commercially, many consumers were not familiar with how to buy canned foods. This 1934 Farm and Home Week display gave instruction on how to judge the quantity of food by the label, rather than by the size of the can, which could be deceiving.

Consumer Products

Instruction in modern femininity encouraged students to act as consumers by purchasing products such as makeup. In 1946, Professor Margaret Humphrey demonstrated good grooming in "Clothing: Selection, Purchase, Care," a prerequisite course for "Grooming and Personal Appearance."

The American Consumer

Speaking to community leaders at the Fourth Annual Institute, Cornell President James A. Perkins said, "It is important that you concern yourselves with the American consumer whose power of choice is the great regulator of a free economy, but the choices must be responsible choices based upon adequate information."

Advertising

This 1949 advertisement for Pyrex showed the full range of products that Lucy Maltby, '21, helped standardize during her years at Corning Glass, 1929-1965.